Author: circadianreflections

My name is Deborah Zajac. I'm a photographer living in Nevada at the base of the Eastern Sierras. I am a passionate nature, landscape, night/astro photographer. I shoot predominately in color and use Nikon Digital Cameras, and lenses. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the photos I've taken while on my travels. Please feel free to leave a comment I'd love to hear from you.

Costa’s Hummingbird-Juvenile

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Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

My friend Dali and I went over to a local park to see this little Hummer after hearing it about it.This Hummingbird is a rare sight here, so it’s a BIG DEAL for the local birders. When we arrived shortly after 8AM there were already a few birders there watching him.
It was fun to watch him. It’s a spunky little thing. He was zipping around his territory chasing off some Anna’s Hummingbirds that live nearby.

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 300mm f4 @ f5.6| 1/1000sec| ISO 800| Manual Priority| Matrix Metering| Hand-held

Sunrise Oxbow Bend and Mt Moran

Posted in Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Landscapes, Nature, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , 3 Comments

Sunrise Oxbow Bend and Mt. MoranCopyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac.  All Rights Reserved.

I took this on day 2 of my Yellowstone – Grand Tetons Trip. Usually, I would have been here an hour before sunrise waiting to see if the magic would happen. We got a late start departing from the Inn on this morning, and by the time we parked and I found this composition to shoot the sun was already cresting the mountains.  . The clouds started to take on color, and the mountain peaks glowed that wonderful pink and gold we call Alpine Glow.

The river was still, the reflections crisp, and there was a fine mist hanging low over the water. Even though there were at least 75 other photographers lined up around this bend it was quiet, peaceful, and so beautiful.

Arriving at a  destination just in time find my composition, set up my equipment, then have all the elements of nature come together to make it all worth while just doesn’t happen to me often.  This was magical! A morning I’ll remember forever.

Fall color is in full swing there. You see some of that on the right side of the bank. I was so happy to see and photograph a little Fall Color. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it to the Eastern Sierras this year.

If you’re finally old enough to go on a Road Scholar Trip I would do it! I had a great time, and met lovely people.  I’m looking forward to my next Road Scholar trip.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 17-35@ f10| 1/8sec| ISO 200| Manual Priority| Matrix Metering| Tripod

Black Phoebe

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Copyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

This is from Weds. 9/18/2013 morning’s walk around a local park with my friend Dali. It was so good to get out. Even though this is a common bird he looked so beautiful in the morning light, and I so grateful to be out had to stop to take his photograph.

I’ll be offline for a couple of days. I’m off to Yellowstone tomorrow. I will catch up when I return. Be well, and safe everyone!

Nikon D700| Nikkor 300mm f4@ f8| 1/1000s| ISO 1000| Manual Priority| Matrix Metering| Hand-held

Los Gatos, CA, USA

Clear front!

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Copyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I went out for a couple hours last Sat. to hang out with a friend Rainey and photograph a Civil War Re-Enactment. It was a great venue; we were pretty close to the action. This is one of two shots I got with the flame coming out of the cannon. Timing is tricky.
I am thrilled that I also got sparks flying from the flint or what ever it’s called where they light the cannon. Clear front is what one of the crew yells when the flint is ignited and soon after that it’s BOOM!

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300mm VR@70mm| f10| 1/1000s| ISO 640| Manual Priority| Hand-held

Northern California

Never give up…

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Copyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

Never give up...

Never give up is my mantra at the moment. I got the cast off on Tues.August 3rd, and have been trying to walk again. Thankfully, my ankle wasn’t as frozen as I thought it would be after 4 weeks in a cast. I do have movement, but it’s stiff and sore, although my foot is still a bit swollen, and bruised. The Doctor said the break is healed but, it will take a few more weeks to be back to normal. I haven’t driven yet, but am planning to drive today. Diva Dog needs supplies.
I start Physical Therapy next week to regain full range of motion. They’ll be tougher on me than I am on myself and will probably have me putting full weight on my foot. Youch!
You know I’ll be screaming in my head, “Never give up, never give up!”

Nikon D700| Nikkor 28-105@ 105mm| f11| 1/1250s| ISO1250| Manual Priority| Spot Metering| Hand-held
Firey Skipper- Backyard wildlife, San Jose, California.

Cross-billed Stellar Jay

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Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I wonder if he was born with this bill or if he was injured? I took this photo back in June while visiting my friend Jackie.There were several Jays in the trees outside her condo.She was feeding them berries, and nuts. They would fly right on the fencing to get the goodies.

Did you get photos of this one Jackie?

Nikon D700| Nikkor 300mm @f5.6| 1/800sec| ISO 640| Manual Priority| Handheld| Lake Tahoe,NV, USA

French “Lights Out” Ordinance Benefits Wildlife

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I hope many cities and towns participate in “Lights Out” this fall in North America.

Sandy Steinman's avatarNatural History Wanderings

EnvironmentalNews Network reports that France is implementing one of the world’smost comprehensive “lights out” ordinances. It includes

  • turning off shop lights between 1 a.m. to 7 a.m.,
  • shutting off lights inside office buildings within an hour of workers leaving the premises
  • waiting only until sunset before turning lights on, on building facades.

Benefits of the ordinance include:

  • cut carbon dioxide emissions by 250,000 tons per year, conserve energy consumption, and cut the country’s overall energy bill by 200 million Euros ($266 million).
  • a reduction in the disruption of natural patterns of light and dark, and thus the structures and functions of ecosystems, is having profound impacts.
  • less disruption of  patterns of mating, migration, feeding, and pollination, (leatherback turtles,birds, bats, moths, and even salmon, are affected by man-made light)
  • improved star-gazing for astronomers and the public

Read more at:  Wildlife and Habitat Conservation News: Light Ordinance in France has Benefits…

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